In an effort to enhance safety measures, the Phuentshogling Thromde has installed about 180 closed-circuit television or CCTV cameras in and around the Thromde. The Comprehensive CCTV Network launched yesterday is a part of the Safe City Project the police started following royal command.
The CCTV cameras are installed in areas like Rinchending, the core town area, Damdara, Kabritar and Amo Chhu Check Post. The police and the Thromde office installed the cameras in collaboration with other stakeholders including Bhutan Telecom, Bhutan Power Corporation and the Department of Immigration.
The control room is housed at the multi-level car parking in the town. According to the police, the control room serves as the nerve centre enabling real-time monitoring and ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Being a bordering town, the need to install such cameras was crucial in Phuentshogling.
Chief of Police, Major General Chimi Dorji, “Police personnel are limited and the number of people in the town keeps growing. So, it is difficult for the police to be everywhere. A few years ago, His Majesty said that Phuentshogling is a bordering town with many cross-border crimes. So, His Majesty commanded us to install the CCTV cameras.”
Police said that the integration of real-time surveillance will help police deter criminal activities, monitor suspicious behaviours and respond to incidents swiftly.
“The implementation of the Safe City project came out as a major preventive measure for criminal activities. Initially, many cameras were installed but people were not aware. So, we were able to catch the culprits with the help of CCTV cameras. It is now quite controlled in Thimphu. So, there is a huge opportunity to reduce crimes and offences through the installation of CCTV cameras,” said the Chief of Police.
The Chief of Police also said that the launch of the CCTV network is now a reminder for people committing crimes that they can be tracked down.
Police and Thromde officials said they are planning to extend the CCTV coverage.
Phuentshogling Thrompon, Uttar Kumar Rai said, “Right now, we have in and around the core town areas. But there is a need to further install cameras in faraway places. We have plans to install cameras in other areas as well.”
Police said that the project further aims to integrate artificial intelligence technologies. According to police, they are looking into the possibilities of including features such as object detection, facial recognition, and monitoring traffic violations among others.
